Milan Rathnayaka is a tall, left-handed fast-medium bowler from Kurunegala who has emerged as a promising pace prospect for Sri Lanka. The 29-year-old made his Test debut against England at Manchester in August 2024 and has since shown glimpses of his potential, including his maiden five-wicket haul of 5 for 124 against West Indies at North Sound in June 2026. His first-class record is impressive, with 148 wickets in 64 matches at an average of 29.15, including three five-wicket hauls and a best of 6 for 26, demonstrating his ability to perform consistently in the longer format. Standing at 6 feet tall, Rathnayaka generates useful bounce and movement, making him a handful on helpful surfaces. Educated at Sri Sumangala College in Wariyapola, he has also represented Sri Lanka A and various domestic teams including Moors Sports Club and the Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club, steadily working his way through the ranks to earn international recognition.
| Bowling | ||||||||||||||
| Format | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w | |
| Tests | 5 | 9 | 689 | 393 | 14 | 3/39 | 4/65 | 28.07 | 3.42 | 49.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| ODIs | 1 | 1 | 6 | 10 | 0 | - | - | - | 10.00 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| FC | 63 | 104 | 7191 | 4191 | 143 | 6/26 | 10/55 | 29.30 | 3.49 | 50.2 | 8 | 2 | 1 | |
| List A | 56 | 55 | 1994 | 1637 | 61 | 4/31 | 4/31 | 26.83 | 4.92 | 32.6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| T20s | 29 | 28 | 471 | 571 | 28 | 6/12 | 6/12 | 20.39 | 7.27 | 16.8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Batting & Fielding | ||||||||||||||
| Format | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Tests | 5 | 6 | 0 | 190 | 72 | 31.66 | 324 | 58.64 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| ODIs | 1 | 1 | 0 | 22 | 22 | 22.00 | 31 | 70.96 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| FC | 63 | 79 | 14 | 1467 | 136 | 22.56 | 2828 | 51.87 | 1 | 5 | 132 | 31 | 34 | 0 |
| List A | 56 | 35 | 7 | 307 | 77* | 10.96 | 550 | 55.81 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 5 | 14 | 0 |
| T20s | 29 | 13 | 6 | 134 | 41 | 19.14 | 102 | 131.37 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 6 | 10 | 0 |
He is a right-arm medium-fast bowler who also contributes useful lower-order runs with his left-handed batting.
He made his Test debut against England at Manchester on August 21, 2024.
In 6 Test matches, he has taken 19 wickets at an average of 27.21, with best figures of 5 for 124, including one five-wicket haul.
In 64 first-class matches, he has taken 148 wickets at an average of 29.15, with best figures of 6 for 26 and a 10-wicket match haul of 10 for 55.
He took his maiden Test five-wicket haul of 5 for 124 against West Indies at North Sound in June 2026.
He has played for Moors Sports Club, Sri Lanka Air Force Sports Club, and various LPL franchises including Galle Titans and Kandy Falcons.
He was born on August 1, 1996, in Kurunegala, making him 29 years old.
He attended Sri Sumangala College in Wariyapola.
In 29 T20 appearances, he has taken 28 wickets at an average of 20.39, with best figures of 6 for 12, including one five-wicket haul.
